Volkswagen Golf hatchback (2009 – ) six month test: practicality
Tuesday 08 February 2011
The Volkswagen Golf is the premium hatchback of choice for many motorists.
Web Editor Adrian Higgins, who is conducting a six-month test of the Golf, loves its practicality.
• First impressions
• Practicality
• Reliability
• Running costs
• How it drives
• Final verdict
We try to make sure our road tests, especially the six-month ones, give a real-life view of the cars.
We’re never ones to complain when this means driving demanding roads in exotic locations. But assessing the practicality of one of Britain’s favourite family hatchbacks demands something more commonplace.
Shifting a wardrobe
Something like trying to transport the child’s wardrobe you’ve bought on the Internet.
To the naked eye the wardrobe’s 170cmx61cmx50cm seemed a challenge for the svelte Golf. However, hope sprung from the fact the word Tardis had regularly cropped up in my discussions of the Golf with colleagues.
The neat exterior lines of this subtly designed car seem to belong to a different vehicle from the one which is driven.
It sits unprepossessingly on the road and parks easily but once inside feels spacious for people and luggage.
Auto Trader readers rate it
And it’s not just me who is impressed by the Golf’s practicality. At the time of writing, Auto Trader Golf drivers have rated the Volkswagen Golf hatchback (2009 – ) 4.8 out of a possible 5 and even those who score the car low in other respects score it four or more for practicality.
Comments from our users include:
- “Surprisingly easy to fit large loads in it.”
- “Put the seats down and the space is fantastic.”
- “My family fit into it comfortably with all the luggage when travelling!”
- “There is plenty of space inside, lots of storage spots and the boot is a good size and shape with a low loading lip.”
And true to form, with a little head-scratching and manoeuvring (removing the parcel shelf, easily tipping the rear seats forwards and tilting the front passenger as far forwards as possible) the wardrobe is in.
But it’s not just by assisting an isolated slice of bargain-hunting that the Golf has proved its mettle and the car’s practicality positives go beyond its load-lugging attributes.
Its people-carrying capabilities are impressive. The car has the feeling of space and is spacious. Not only will five fit in the car but when push comes to shove you can transport two adults, and a baby in a child seat, in the back.
Reversing camera
Check out the accompanying gallery for an idea of the capacity of glove compartment, door wells, and cup holders.
These have satisfied the needs of my family of three over the test period.
The other big plus of the model we have on test at the moment is the reversing camera. It’s a free option on our Match model and ensures stress-free parking.
The Golf has an immaculate reputation as a great all-rounder. And this quality is most in evidence when it comes to its practicality.
But you don’t have to just take my word for it. It’s what our car-buyers are saying too.
Key facts
Model: Volkswagen Golf Match 2.0-litre TDI 140PS 5dr 6spd manual
Price: £20,310
Mileage: 1,252 miles
• First impressions
• Practicality
• Reliability
• Running costs
• How it drives
• Final verdict